“I’m pleased to get the green light today for my bill to cut red tape for auto dealers across Ontario,” said Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark, who introduced the bill.

“Allowing auto dealers to process these transactions electronically will save time and money, while also helping them to serve their customers even better.”

Clark’s bill amends the Highway Traffic Act to allow registered motor vehicle dealers to do any of the following by electronic means:

- Apply for a permit, number plates or a validation for a vehicle.- Apply for a new permit for a vehicle.- Apply for a used vehicle information package.

The bill also empowers the Minister of Transportation to monitor the success of the program and add more services to the list through regulation.

Clark tabled the proposal in response to concerns brought forward by Dave Watson from Pastime Motors, Arnold Dixon from Kia of Brockville and Ted MacMillan of Riverside Chevrolet, Buick, GMC on behalf of the Brockville Prescott New Car Dealership Association.

“They approached me over the summer to say how much the lengthy wait times at Service Ontario were costing them and leaving their customers feeling increasingly frustrated,” said Clark. “In our discussions, we realized this wasn’t just a local matter and that we had an opportunity to modernize the system across Ontario.”

In addition to streamlining the process for vehicle dealers, Clark says his bill would ease pressure on wait times at Service Ontario locations.

Clark’s bill was endorsed by the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association. In a letter to MPP Clark, Trillium’s Director of Government Relations Frank Notte characterized it as a “vital tool” that supports the province’s auto sector.

“Too often, the retail side of the auto sector doesn’t receive the attention it deserves. While auto manufacturing may grab headlines, it is the retail side where the rubber hits the road. This Bill will help Ontario’s 1,000 new car dealers save time and money, and give them the tools to provide a more convenient customer service experience,” Notte wrote.

A similar electronic system for dealers is already up and running in Quebec.